Plans have been unveiled to trial a “no frills” train service around the Newcastle area as early as 2019.

Below we take a look at the proposals in more depth.

What is being proposed?

A £4m trial is set to be launched within the next two years using cheap, low-speed trains built from “lightweight” materials on a number of lines across the north of England. Eventually some of 5,000 miles of disused track could be brought back into use.

Who is paying for the project?

The project is set to be funded by both the Department for Transport and the Rail Safety and Standards Board. Each train is expected to cost around £500,000.

What will the new trains look like?

It is believed the trains will be constructed out of a mixture of aluminium, steel and carbon fibre and could be as short as 30ft.

They will weigh around 28tonnes compared to the 50tonne weight of a normal carriage when full.

How fast will the trains go?

The trains will be powered by 3.8-litre diesel-hybrid engines and could reach speeds of between 50mph-70mph.

When will they be running?

A prototype version is expected to be ready within the next 18 months and services could begin within the next two years.

What do passenger groups say about the proposal?

Stephen Joseph, chief executive of Campaign for Better Transport, welcomed the announcement. He said: “We strongly welcome this research as a way of bringing down costs and energy use from trains and enabling the reopening of rail lines like those to Leamside and Ashington.”